Met Office map shows ‘very high’ pollen levels in 16 areas on Friday | UK | News
Hay fever sufferers are being warned to brace for one of the worst days of the week after the Met Office predicted pollen levels will be “very high” in 16 county-level areas of England on Friday. The latest pollen map shows the east of England, London and the South East are facing very high grass pollen levels, while much of England and Wales is expected to see high concentrations.
According to the Met Office, “Friday is expected to bring some of the highest pollen levels of the forecast period.” The report added: “The East Midlands and east of England are likely to have very high grass pollen levels, while London and the South East still have very high levels.” The forecast warns that “high levels will continue across much of England and Wales”, while parts of central and eastern Scotland may see a temporary increase to moderate or high pollen levels. Grass pollen remains the main allergen across the UK, with smaller amounts of weed pollen also circulating. The Met Office said: “Grass pollen remains the dominant allergen, with some weed pollen still around.
“As warmer, drier and increasingly calmer weather develops over the weekend, many areas are likely to see persistently high or very high pollen levels.”
Increasing pollen counts occur as the weather calms down, creating ideal conditions for pollen to spread.
The Met Office explained: “Recent warm, dry conditions with light winds are ideal for pollen to be released and carried through the air, but a lack of rainfall means pollen is not blown away, which can make symptoms feel particularly severe.”
He added: “The worst conditions for most hay fever sufferers are hot, dry and windy days. These allow pollen to be easily released and spread efficiently into the atmosphere.”
Conditions are expected to ease slightly in some areas on Saturday, but high levels of grass pollen are still expected across much of central, eastern and southern England.
Northern parts of the UK are expected to fare better, with Scotland expected to be a largely low-risk area for pollen over the weekend, while Northern Ireland is forecast to see mostly moderate levels.
